PHYSICAL GEOLOGY 101
Designer: Tom Braziunas
Instructor: Julie Masura
Syllabus*
INSTRUCTOR: Julie Masura, M.S.. Geological Sciences
PHONE: 206-526-0082, message only best to use email
EMAIL ADDRESS: WebCT email
CAMPUS OFFICE: Instruction Building Room 2423, Part-time
Office Suite 13
OFFICE HOURS: By appointment only.
TEXT: Understanding Earth by Grotzinger, Jordan, Press, and Sevier,
Fifth Edition, ISBN 0-7167-6682-5
COURSE MATERIALS: Geology Lab Kit for Distance Learning
available at the bookstore
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Overview
*NOTE:
Details
Grading
Schedule
The syllabus may change depending on the interests and directions
of each class. Please check back for updates. I will post a message or send an
email if changes are made.
COURSE OBJECTIVES AND OVERVIEW
Course Objectives: The goal of this learning program is to provide
you with a fundamental understanding of the scientific method, to
introduce you to the basic concepts of physical geology, and to teach you
the practical identification of rocks and minerals.
Schedule: The class schedule contains a listing of class activities. The
course is designed to use the textbook, go through a series of
laboratory exercises, and coordinate with an Annenberg video series
"Earth Revealed." Each unit's work consists of several approaches
toward understanding the same topic (through lab exercises, videos,
readings, and self-quizzes). Short assignments are due every few days.
The idea is to keep us moving forward and gaining confidence as we learn
a geology topic by viewing the videos, then reading the textbook, and
finally applying our knowledge in the lab exercises and self-tests.
Specifics are provided in the "Details" portion of the syllabus.
Communication: This class is designed to encourage an ongoing
dialogue between student and teacher and amongst students as well.
This course does not merely consist of web pages to read and homework
to complete on one's own. I expect that you will have many questions
and comments along the way. A benefit of an online class is that
interaction within class is enriched in some ways if we use the online
tools (discussion room and email) to consult with one another.
Communication is built into the class (see "Details") and I will attempt
reply to any email messages during weekdays (M-F). At the same time, I
expect the same courtesy of timely responses from the rest of us. Feel
free to ask any and all questions about assignments and text readings
throughout the quarter.
Please read the entire syllabus and then send the "Verification of
Understanding and Course Work Agreement" as your first class
submission.
Class Details
Homework:
Each unit the class has multiple assignments which are
due on different days. The idea is to keep us working step-by-step on
the course materials, each unit's concepts being reinforced through
several learning modes: videos, text, quizzes, lab work, and discussion.
The requirements for each unit's assignments are explained in detail on
the Assignments web page.
All homework must be sent in electronically by each due date using the
homework submission forms in your In Box. Homework may be turned in
late with one point taken off for each day it is late. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Points can be made up by participating in the extra credit unit
discussions. After a unit has been completed, no more extra credit
postings will be accepted.
Videostreaming:
The “Earth Revealed” video series is an integral
part of this course. If you have a broadband connection to the internet
(through DSL or cable modem), you will be able to videostream these 30
minute videos directly through your computer. Check this out by
starting one of the programs on the Video Lessons web page. You may
need to use Internet Explorer as your browser (a free download) and you
may need to install the Windows Media Player (again, a free download).
Video rental:
If you are unable to videostream the programs
from your computer, you can view each one for free in the Media Center
of the North Seattle Community College Library. You may also rent the
entire set of videotapes for the quarter from the Media Center for a
charge. Click on the Distance Learning Toolbox the Fees, Books and
Video on the Virtual College website for details.
Lab exercises: Lab work provides "hands on" interactive
opportunities to apply the concepts in the reading assignments and video
lessons. Your lab kit contains a fine collection of minerals, rocks, map,
and geology tools.
The internet will allow us to enhance lab work with real-time data and
online resources devised by experts from around the world. Judicious
use of relevant "real world" scientific centers now accessible online will
guide us as we observe, identify, and interpret geologic features (like
rocks and minerals) in our community or nearby regions.
Self-Testing: Each unit's homework includes an online quiz which
has a 60-minute time limit. You may take this quiz at any time (but only
once!) before the end of that unit but you need to fit 60 uninterrupted
minutes into your schedule. Details are provided on the Self-Testing
web page.
Discussion Participation: You are strongly encouraged to
join in active conversation throughout the quarter. A new topic is
discussed during every unit. You may also wish to ask questions which
can be shared with the rest of the class (who may have the same
question!). Post these to the questions, comments, suggestions folder.
This is checked daily during the week. As explained on the Discussion
board web page, your active participation will be rewarded by your
subsequent better understanding and test grades.
Field trips:
Field trips are intended to introduce students first-
hand to the geologic processes and materials that have lead to the
incredible natural scenery of the Pacific Northwest. The two planned inperson trips require you to compose short field reports during the
outings and each trip. Alternatively, you may conduct your own field trip
or take a "virtual" field trip on the internet and compose a field report
on your experience. Two such field reports can be completed with a
potential to earn 20 bonus points in total for this type of activity. You
are required to complete at least one of these. The other three are
purely extra credit.
Exams: The exams will consist of multiple choice questions on the
homework and reading assignments. You will have 2 hours for each test.
The exams will be comprehensive, as the material builds upon earlier
concepts. These will be taken fully online.
Time Commitment:
You are expected to need about the same
amount of time each unit in this online class as you would need to be
successful in an on-campus class. A lab science class requires a
commitment of at least 15 hours per unit in lectures, labs, homework,
and other activities during a regular quarter. You may need about 5
hours per unit for text readings and homework, about 5 hours per unit
for lab activities (hands-on and online), about 3 hours for videos and
homework, about 2 hours for full discussion participation and email, and
additional time to take the unit quiz and participate in a virtual or inperson field trip. Before you begin, try to design these hours into your
schedule of activities. If you have questions or concerns, please email
me and we will seek solutions.
Grading
Grades: Grades will be decided using the following relative proportions
for your work. Please read all information below and send the
"Verification of Understanding and Class Work Agreement" after you
have finished the syllabus.
Each unit you can earn points for completing your homework (lab work,
video work, textbook questions, and unit self-test), participate in at
least one field trip, and you can earn bonus points for participating in the
optional discussion room conversation. In addition, if you complete
additional field trips (virtual or in-person local trips), you can earn extra
points as well.
Exams will be at the end of units four and seven, and eleven. The exams
will consist of multiple choice questions on the homework and reading
assignments. You will have 2 hours for each test.
Homework is due on the dates indicated on the class "schedule".
Homework may be turned in late with one point taken off for each day it
is late. You can make up these points by participating in extra credit
opportunities. SPECIAL NOTE: All assignments will be due on the LAST
DAY OF THE QUARTER. That is, late assignments WILL NOT be
accepted after the end of the quarter.
Your scores on homework and quizzes will automatically appear in your
grade book (accessed from the link on the left side navigation bar) after
your answers have been graded. Your total percentage of points earned
for the course, based on the possible points up to each particular unit,
will be shown in your grade book as well. You can convert this percentage
to a letter grade using the grading chart shown below.
Official Policy on Cheating: The official policy is that the instructor
need not give credit for work which is the product of cheating. This
means that a student would receive a zero for that particular work. Also,
for reports, please do not quote directly from another source unless you
use quotation marks and cite the pages from which the quotes were
taken. Failure to cite references properly will be taken as plagiarism and
your research homework will be given a zero.
GRADING CHART:
(Letter Grade and Number Grade related to percentage of
points earned)
A = 4.0 = 93100%
C+ = 2.3 = 77-79%
A- = 3.7 = 9092%
C = 2.0 = 73-76%
B+ = 3.3 = 87-89%
C- = 1.7 = 70-72%
B = 3.0 =
86%
D+ = 1.3 = 67-69%
83-
B- = 2.7 = 80-82%
D = 1.0 = 60-66%
N/C = below 59%
Summer 2006 Schedule
All assignments are due at the end of the day (midnight or 2400
hours, Pacific Standard Time). One point will be deducted for each
day an assignment is turned in late. This policy will apply to units 210.
Start Day (Wednesday, June 28)
Optional Orientation Meeting on Wednesday, June 28, 7-7:50 p.m. -- Room
LB2236B.
COLLEGE START
Preparation
(Wednesday)
Orientation
(Wednesday)
Starting
Assignments
(Wednesday)
QUARTER
BEGINS ON
MONDAY
Study the class
website. Look over
the videos,
textbook and lab kit
OPTIONAL
Orientation
Meeting
Complete "Start
Here" assignments
(on "Assignments"
web page)
Unit One (Thursday, June 29 - Monday, July 3)
Lab Assignment
(Saturday)
None
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Sunday)
(1) Down to Earth
(2) The Restless Planet
Chapter 1: The Earth System
Testing
(Monday)
Unit 1 Quiz
Unit Two (Tuesday, July 4 - Saturday, July 8)
Lab Assignment
(Thursday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Friday)
Testing
(Saturday)
(1) The Seafloor
(2) Birth of a Theory
(3) Plate Dynamics
Topographic Map Lab
Chapter 2: Plate Tectonics:
Unifying Theory
Chapter 10: Evolution of
Continents
Unit 2 Quiz
Unit Three (Sunday, July 9 - Thursday, July 13)
Lab Assignment
(Tuesday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Wednesday)
Testing
(Thursday)
Minerals: The Materials of
Earth
Plate Tectonics Lab
Unit 3 Quiz
Chapter 3: Earth Materials:
Minerals and Rocks
Unit Four (Friday, July 14 - Tuesday, July 18)
Lab Assignment
(Sunday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Monday)
Testing
(Tuesday)
Intrusive Igneous Rocks
Mineral Lab
Chapter 4: Igneous Rocks:
Solids from Melts
Chapter 12: Volcanoes
Exam I (Units
1-3)
Unit 4 Quiz
Unit Five (Wednesday, July 19 - Sunday, July 23)
Lab Assignment
(Friday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Saturday)
Testing
(Sunday)
Igneous Rock Lab
Weathering and Soils
Unit 5 Quiz
Sedimentary Rocks: The Key to
Past Environments
Chapter 5: Sedimentation:
Rocks Formed by Surface
Processes
Chapter 16: Weathering,
Erosion, and Mass Wasting:
Interface Between Climate and
Tectonics
Unit Six (Monday, July 24 - Friday, July 28)
Lab Assignment
(Wednesday)
Video and Textbook
Assignment
(Thursday)
Testing
(Friday)
Metamorphic Rocks
Sedimentary Rock Lab
Chapter 6:
Metamorphism:
Modifications of Rocks
by Temperature and
Pressure
Unit 6 Quiz
Unit Seven (Saturday, July 29 - Wednesday, August 2)
Discovery Park Field Trip, Saturday, July 29 1 - 4 p.m.
Meet in the South Parking Lot at Discovery Park.
Lab Assignment
(Monday)
Video and Textbook
Assignment
(Tuesday)
Geologic Time
Metamorphic Rock Lab
Chapter 8: Clocks in Rocks:
Timing the Geologic Record
Unit Eight (Thursday, August 3 - Monday, August 7)
Testing
(Wednesday)
Unit 7 Quiz
Exam II (Units
1-6)
Lab Assignment
(Saturday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Sunday)
Testing
(Monday)
(1) Mountain Building
(2) Earth's Structures
Relative Dating Lab
Chapter 7: Deformation:
Modification of Rocks by
Folding and Fracturing
Chapter 10: Evolution of
Continents
Unit 8 Quiz
Unit Nine (Tuesday, August 8 - Saturday, August 12)
Lab Assignment
(Thursday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Friday)
Testing
(Saturday)
(1) Earthquakes
(2) Earth's Interior
Geologic Structures Lab
Chapter 13: Earthquakes
Chapter 14: Exploring Earth's
Interior
Unit 9 Quiz
Unit Ten (Sunday, August 13 - Thursday, August 17)
Campus Rock Tour, Sunday, August 13, noon-2 p.m.
Meet on the front steps of North Seattle Community College near the blue
mailbox.
Lab Assignment
(Tuesday)
Video and Textbook Assignment
(Wednesday)
Testing
(Thursday)
Mass Wasting
Earthquake Lab
Chapter 16: Weathering,
Erosion, and Mass Wasting:
Interface Between Climate and
Tectonics
Unit 10 Quiz
Unit Eleven (Thursday, August 17 - Friday, August 18)
Lab Assignment
Video and Textbook Assignment
Testing
(Friday)
NONE
NONE
Final Exam
(Units 1-10)